Latest news with #OccupyWallStreet
Malaysian Reserve
5 days ago
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Freckie Capital Unveils NAT Intelligent Strategy System, Redefining the Future of Wealth Management
DENVER, Aug. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — British fintech innovator Freckie Capital today announced the official launch of its flagship platform, the NAT Intelligent Strategy System, alongside an ambitious global expansion initiative. Designed to democratize access to professional-grade investing, the NAT system represents a fundamental shift away from traditional, advisor-driven finance toward a transparent, logic-based, and user-controlled model. 'We chose this challenging path because we believe that only those who are bold enough to think they can change the world are the ones who actually do,' said Andrew Seymour Adil, Founder and CEO of Freckie Capital, echoing the spirit of Apple's iconic 'Think Different' campaign. Breaking the Barriers of Traditional Finance For decades, wealth management has been portrayed as a service for the privileged few. The reality, according to Adil, is that the traditional model is riddled with barriers: Limited access – Investors often wait days to meet with advisors, while markets move by the second. Subjective advice – Recommendations are frequently influenced by market sentiment or personal bias, without clear accountability. High costs – Consulting fees are charged regardless of whether the advice delivers real returns. 'When you ask why a decision was made, the answer is often 'because of our experience.' But as Charlie Munger once said, if you can't explain your decision with a model, you probably don't know what you're doing,' noted Adil. A Founder's Journey from Wall Street to Fintech Innovation Freckie Capital's origin dates back nearly 30 years of financial practice and reflection. Adil, who earned a Master's degree in Applied Finance from Macquarie University in 1993, spent 15 years on Wall Street as a trader, asset allocation advisor, and hedge fund analyst. By the mid-2000s, he was a top-earning professional—until the 2008 financial crisis shattered his trust in the industry. Witnessing the collapse of Lehman Brothers, Adil began questioning who truly benefits from financial advice: the client or the institutions? In 2009, Adil left the traditional system, sharing market insights directly with the public online. His participation in the Occupy Wall Street movement in 2011 deepened his commitment to financial transparency and sparked his exploration of quantitative investment systems. 'No matter how skilled an advisor is, they cannot operate 24/7 without emotion. An algorithm, however, can act with precision at all times,' said Adil. By 2015, he had assembled a small team of online financial experts, laying the groundwork for what would become Freckie Capital. In 2019, the company was officially founded, attracting talent from major financial and technology institutions. Building the NAT Intelligent Strategy System The NAT Intelligent Strategy System is built on three core pillars: Automation – Executes strategies 24/7 without human delay. Logic – Every recommendation is backed by data, models, and transparent reasoning. Personalization – Adapts to each user's risk profile and financial goals. Unlike traditional advisory services, NAT empowers users to control execution, review transparent strategy logic, and make adjustments in real-time—without relying on an advisor's interpretation or availability. A Team United by Vision Freckie Capital's mission has attracted a global team of like-minded innovators, including: Matthew Craig West – Former JPMorgan analyst who joined NAT's development team in 2020. Amelia Clarke – Advocate for financial inclusion, now serving as Global Head of Network Financial Services. Ryan Carter – Former IBM digital asset strategist who left corporate life to advance Freckie's mission. Redefining Trust in the Age of Algorithms Freckie Capital believes that the future of investing lies in systems, not individuals. As historian Yuval Noah Harari observed, 'Algorithms will redefine trust.' 'We are not here to make advisors more efficient,' said Adil. 'We are here to replace them entirely with verifiable, data-driven systems.' By removing subjective decision-making and replacing it with transparent algorithms, NAT offers a trust model based on rules, not personalities. Vision: Investing as a Right, Not a Privilege Freckie Capital's long-term goal is to make rational, transparent investing accessible to everyone—regardless of background, location, or financial starting point. Key benefits to users include: A system that never sleeps – Executes strategies continuously without downtime. Clear, explainable logic – Every decision is backed by data, not guesswork. Trust in rules, not individuals – Users rely on the system's logic rather than personal bias. A strategy at the traders' rhythm – Market volatility no longer dictates decision-making. Looking Ahead Freckie Capital plans to expand its product features, enhance data capabilities, and establish a stronger global footprint. The company aims to become the most trusted intelligent investment infrastructure worldwide, enabling individuals to achieve investment independence through technology. 'True investment freedom begins when systems are more transparent than people, and decisions are more reliable than emotions,' concluded Adil. About Freckie Capital Founded in 2019, Freckie Capital is a British fintech company dedicated to transforming wealth management through transparent, intelligent, and user-controlled investment systems. Its flagship platform, the NAT Intelligent Strategy System, enables investors to create personalized, data-driven strategies without reliance on traditional advisors. Contact:Freckie Capitalcontact@ Logo –
Business Insider
03-08-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
CapitalMath: Guiding the Future of Traditional Finance
British fintech company CapitalMath is redefining wealth management with the official launch of its MAT Intelligent Strategy System—a platform designed not just as an investment tool but as a movement toward democratizing financial control. The company also announced the beginning of its global expansion plan. At the core of CapitalMath's philosophy lies a powerful belief: investing should not be a game reserved for the privileged few, governed by inaccessible rules and opaque advice. Instead, it should be a rational, transparent process available to everyone. Echoing Apple's iconic "Think Different" campaign, the company stands by the idea that "only those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who actually do." Breaking from a Flawed Legacy Traditional wealth management systems appear professional on the surface but are riddled with inefficiencies and inequalities. Everyday investors face delays, costly consultations, and vague advice often rooted in personal bias or market 'sentiment.' Worse yet, when asked why a financial decision was made, responses rarely go beyond 'experience.' As the late Charlie Munger once said: 'If you cannot explain what you are doing with a model, you probably do not know what you are doing.' CapitalMath takes this to heart. The company was born from decades of firsthand experience and introspection by its founder, Nicholas Hawthorne. After earning a Master's in Applied Finance from Macquarie University in 1993, Hawthorne worked as a trader, hedge fund analyst, and asset allocation advisor on Wall Street—eventually earning over $1 million annually. But the 2008 financial crisis changed everything. As Lehman Brothers collapsed and trust in traditional institutions plummeted, Hawthorne asked himself: 'Who really benefits from the advice we give? Are we serving clients, or protecting entrenched interests?'. In 2009, he walked away from institutional finance and began sharing investment insights directly with the public online. By 2011, he was actively supporting the Occupy Wall Street movement and immersing himself in quantitative finance. Building from Scratch What began as a series of online financial tools evolved into a full-fledged fintech operation. In 2015, Hawthorne assembled a remote team of financial and tech professionals, setting the groundwork for what would become CapitalMath. In 2019, the company was officially established. Through pivotal moments such as the rise of Bitcoin and the GameStop movement, CapitalMath gained valuable insights and attracted like-minded innovators: Harrison Cole, formerly of JPMorgan, joined the MAT system team in 2020. Charlotte Hayes, an advocate of financial inclusion since her university days, now serves as Global Head of Network Financial Services. Alexander Morgan, once a key contributor to IBM's digital asset projects, left corporate tech to support CapitalMath's mission. The MAT System: Technology as Trust CapitalMath's MAT Intelligent Strategy System is built on three pillars: Automation: It executes the user's investment strategy 24/7, without emotional interference. Logic: Every action is backed by data, mathematical models, and clear rationale. Personalization: The system tailors strategies to each user's risk tolerance and financial goals. The system provides investors with transparent insights into its decision-making processes, eliminating reliance on human memory, subjective judgment, or waiting periods. Investors retain full control over adjustments, with clear visibility into the rationale behind every decision. As Steve Jobs once said, 'Everything around you that you call life was made up by people who were no smarter than you.' That mindset fuels CapitalMath's bold vision to question outdated norms and hand financial control back to users. Quoting Yuval Noah Harari: 'Algorithms will redefine trust.' CapitalMath embraces this idea fully—replacing guesswork with systems and emotion with verified logic. Peter Thiel's philosophy also resonates here: 'Great businesses do not just improve the world, they rewrite it.' For CapitalMath, the goal is not to make advisors better—it's to make them obsolete. The Mission: Make Rational Investing a Right CapitalMath aims to build a new foundation: one where anyone can access powerful tools and make data-driven decisions. Whether users are new to investing or managing complex portfolios, CapitalMath is designed to provide: A system that runs even when users sleep A clear explanation behind every move Full control, based on rules users create A strategy that keeps its own pace—unmoved by daily market noise Ultimately, the company believes investing is not about who is smartest, but who has the best system. As CapitalMath moves forward, it is committed to refining its platform, expanding its global presence, and building the world's most trusted intelligent investment infrastructure. Because true financial freedom begins when systems are more reliable than emotions—and trust is built on logic, not promises. About CapitalMath CapitalMath is a British fintech company founded in 2019 by Nicholas Hawthorne, a former Wall Street professional with over 30 years of experience in financial markets. The company was born from a vision to challenge the traditional wealth management system and create transparent, logic-driven investment solutions for everyone. Its flagship product, the MAT Intelligent Strategy System, empowers users to make informed investment decisions based on real-time automation, personalized strategies, and verifiable logic. The platform reflects CapitalMath's belief that rational investing should be a basic right—not a privilege reserved for the few. With a growing team of financial technologists and a global expansion underway, CapitalMath is committed to becoming the most trusted intelligent investment infrastructure worldwide. Contact
Daily Maverick
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
More decolonisation may be necessary to fully liberate us from the reveries of Empire
I was recently reminded of a former colleague who, in the early 1990s, spoke fondly and frequently about 'Lord Robin' and, I recall, he referred to 'Sir Robin' (as fondly and as frequently) – with reference to Robin Renwick, the British Ambassador to South Africa in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The mnemonic was an obituary of Dick Foxton, in which the writer reminisced, with the pride of a pubescent schoolboy, about the thrill of wearing a Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) bowtie. This took me to the way that the decolonisation of public spaces and institutions movement, that peaked during the #feesmustfall and #rhodesmustfall movements, has dissolved into the background of South African politics; how the ' decolonisation of the mind ' never quite made a measurable change to the way we frame discussions in the mainstream; and how nostalgia for empire (and artefacts like the MCC bowtie) and clinging to colonial practices continue to pervade South African society. There are three things up for discussion here; the apparent dissolution of the decolonisation movement; stubborn clinging to the former colonial (British) systems of honour and recognition — as if they applied universally; and the nostalgia for (and pride in) the signs, symbols and artefacts of empire, notably in the cricket community. I should get two things out of the way. One is that people can support any sports team or club or 'nation' they wish. The other is that I come from a family with a deep history in coloured, Malay and Indian cricket (in the former Transvaal). In terms of both, I don't care for South Africa's cricket or rugby teams. The decolonisation movement and docile bodies The decolonisation movement, such as it may have been, was part of the #rhodesmustfall and #feesmustfall protests that peaked in about 2015/2016. This overall movement seems to have gone quiet. This quietening may be ascribed to the docility of the activists that drove the protests. The idea of docile bodies, or of student activists becoming docile is part of the way that institutions and apparatuses of state tend to discipline and punish, or simply 'pull deviants into line', and reorient citizens to fit into behaviour that is acceptable for ruling elites. Whereas this may be construed as a broader social movement, so to speak, and seems to ignore individual agency, individuals tend to become docile when the demands and expectations of life beyond university force compliance. In this respect, we have seen how, say, the 'Woodstock generation', with its love and peace, communal harmony, and utopian vision, seems to have lost its energy, and most of the revellers at Max Yasgur's farm simply became docile and compliant 'establishment' folk. The Occupy Wall Street movement seems to have followed the same route back to blue-blazer middle-class complacency. In both cases the revellers at Max Yasgur's farm and the occupiers of Wall Street kind of accepted their social position as inevitable, and went on to shore up existing power structures. The #rhodesmustfall and #feesmustfall individuals seem to have gone the same way. One reason students abandon their activist zeal after graduation is the urgency of having to repay exorbitant student loans. Nothing disciplines more than does debt. Knighthoods and honours apply to societies that issue them In an essay on maritime trade routes and global political economy I wrote a year or so ago, I referred to 'Walter Raleigh'. The editor of the essay left the reference at that, as did the sub-editors. I had dropped the 'Sir'. I did so because knighthoods bestowed by the English monarchy do not apply to the rest of the world. It is relevant only if you believe that the English monarchy has the right to tell the world whom to call 'Sir' or 'Lord' or 'Dame', and you curry favour with references to 'Lord Robin' or 'Sir Robin'… We do not, for instance, use the Japanese equivalent of knighthood (Samurai) or the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum when we refer to Japanese people of that stature. I can't imagine reference, among South Africans, to The Most Illustrious Order of Tri Shakti Patta when addressing a Nepalese recipient conferred with that order. Nor, for that matter, do we refer to the Malaysian Prime Minister as Dato Sri Anwar Ebrahim; the (rotating) King of Malaysia confers the title 'Dato Sri' to individuals who have made significant and exceptional contributions to that country. But we will refer to 'Sirs' or 'Dames' when we talk about British citizens who have received the honours. Whether we like it or not, knighthoods are not recognised — or should not be honoured — by people beyond the borders of the UK. There are, to be sure, some of us who would insist on using these honorifics derived from the Middle Ages in Europe, yet pay scant attention to The Order of Mapungubwe. This, I believe, is what happens when we cling to colonial beliefs, values, artefacts and practices. Which brings me to cricket, the pride of the MCC, and the nostalgiacs. The MCC, cricket and empire One of the very few conservative streaks that I have is a love for Test cricket, and an intense dislike of the Indian Premier League. The latter is too noisy, too crass in its iconography and imagery; I have never liked the idea of dancing girls at sporting events, or anywhere else for that matter. The cynosure of these dancing girls at sporting events is cheerleading, which began with the elite male privilege and masculinities of Americans in the 19th century. Cheerleading in the USA is a sordid affair. While that's a whole different story, the dancing girls at IPL matches make it difficult to watch that spectacle with its riotous colours, sights and sounds. As much as I enjoy cricket, I am also aware of its colonial heritage and (especially) how (like the English language) we in the countries that were once part of the British empire have adopted the game and redeployed it, so to speak. Cricket in particular has played a 'civilising' role in maintaining British rule in its colonial possessions as well as defining a quintessentially British identity. Cricket in particular was more than a leisurely sport. It served as a vector for carrying British imperial beliefs, values and practices to its colonial territories. From the writings of the Trinidadian historian, CLR James, we understand the way that cricket became the symbol of imperial solidarity and superiority, and epitomised a set of consolidatory moral imperatives that both exemplified and explained imperial ambition and achievement. Cricket became a political metaphor as much as an imperial game. (See here, and here). There are, nonetheless, those good people who cling to the pride and privilege, and schoolboy thrills of the MCC bowtie — and they're all innocents, mind you. I remember interviewing Ali Bacher (about the Mike Gatting Rebel Tour in 1989/90) many years ago, and he was quite oblivious of the old coloured Transvaal Cricket team that my uncles were part of in the 1940s and 1950s. The late Vishnu Padayachee reminded us, when he explained that 'Ali Bacher did very well under apartheid. He has done even better in the 15 years since Nelson Mandela's release from Robben Island. … What is also very evident is that Dr Bacher appears to have slid from operating under one regime to the next seamlessly. There is no epiphanous moment here, no expression of regret, no apology for the various and highly controversial roles he played in propping up white cricket both as a player and administrator [and insisted that white cricket in South Africa] 'had to continue to find its own way along the rebel road'.' About Bacher, sports historian Goolam Vahed wrote 'there needs to be greater accountability among those who now cloak their past collaboration with apartheid. The same applies to the process that led to unity… There will be twists in the story of how Ali Bacher, who tried so hard to destroy non-racial cricket through rebel tours and clandestine tactics in apartheid South Africa, came to lead post-apartheid cricket.' It is in this post-apartheid era that the nostalgiacs hide their empire masks behind smiles and platitudes. It shows up, every so often, with reminiscences about the MCC and how warm and fuzzy our compatriots feel.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Zohran Mamdani won because too many elites lost
Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Popular in International Hell hath no fury like the disappointed haute bourgeoisie. A populist revolt has been brewing among the American left since the global financial crisis dealt a severe economic shock to young college graduates. The surprising primary win of 33-year-old Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani in New York City 's mayoral primary is the latest manifestation of their economic frustration . And it will only get worse. One of the more surprising results of the Mamdani victoryconcerns his base: Younger, well-educated, fairly affluent and living in Brooklyn — especially the more bohemian Williamsburg and Bushwick neighborhoods. Mamdani was much less popular among lower earners who lived in the Bronx. So it's revealing that the relatively well-off turned out enthusiastically for someone who, only a few years ago, promised to seize the very means of production that underpinned their reason may be that Mamdani's supporters tend to be elite, but don't feel elite enough. They are the ones who suffer from what University of Connecticut professor emeritus and complexity scientist Peter Turchin calls elite overproduction . Many children of middle- and upper middle-class households went to college expecting to have a career that brought wealth and status. But there are a limited number of 'elite' jobs. The result is a surplus of aspiring elites who end up resentful and blame a system they deem unfair. Turchin argues that past periods of social unrest were due to an overabundance of disappointed elites. It also explains recent bouts of populism , including the Occupy Wall Street of the problem is that the divide between culturally and economically elite jobs has widened. Culturally elite jobs, such as working at a high-profile non-profit, media (ahem), the arts, or a university, all come with a certain cache but most pay far less than those in finance, consulting or corporate on the government's Current Population Survey between 2022 and 2025, about 12% of the college graduates who live in Brooklyn work in what I call 'creative' industries (arts, media, non-profits). This may seem low, but Brooklyn is one of the largest counties in the country and is very economically diverse. Creative college graduates here take up a smaller share of graduates in other New York Boroughs (between 5% and 11%) and the US's college educated population overall (7%).The creative college graduates in Brooklyn have a median household income of about $125,000. But that does not go far in New York, especially for those from affluent families who expect to replicate their parents' standard of living. When their parents were young, having a college degree ensured much higher relative pay. Big cities were also less expensive back then, and a non-profit job could afford a decent living 30% of creative college-educated Brooklynites are homeowners, compared to 76% of college graduates in the rest of country. And it gets worse when they compare themselves to their peers who became part of the economic elite. Brooklyn also houses many people who work in finance, law and consulting. Their median household income is more than $290,000, and 58% own their home (though they tend to be a bit older).Although the cultural and economic elite have always lived alongside each other, the reason the divide is getting wider is because in the last few decades being in a big city such as New York has become necessary to elite success, be it cultural or economic. But cities have also become much more expensive, mainly as the result of increased demand for housing and limited supply. Economically elite jobs have also become even better paid relative to cultural elite this is why Mamdani's focus on affordability, his promises to freeze rent, subsidize food costs and impose large taxes on the economic elite, is appealing to so many well-educated voters. To some extent, it is hard to feel sorry for them. They chose to work in professions that pay relatively less given their education. And they are hardly the only ones who struggle with the high cost of living. Don't forget that most college educated workers in New York earn more than those who don't have such degrees, with the median household income in Brooklyn (for all education levels) coming in at $73, this is no comfort for those who feel cheated in a job that a generation ago could have afforded a comfortable lifestyle. It is also a legitimate problem that success in their industry requires living where they can't necessarily afford the lifestyle they want and feel they expects the problem will only get worse. Recent shifts in the labor market due to technology suggest the earnings premium from college may shrink further and cause more economic frustration. At the very least, if these voters turn to populism that pushes more price controls on housing and other necessities there will be even more shortages and higher prices for market-priced goods, and the affordability problem will swell, not only for the disaffected cultural elite but for everyone.
Irish Times
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
No Straight Road Takes You There by Rebecca Solnit: A writer who gives us hope for today, and tomorrow
No Straight Road Takes You There: Essays for Uneven Terrain Author : Rebecca Solnit ISBN-13 : 978-1803511641 Publisher : Granta Guideline Price : £16.99 'At this point of my life, I have lived through social, political, and scientific changes that would have been not just unbelievable but in many cases inconceivable in my youth,' writes Rebecca Solnit in yet another book of hope-engineering, almost hypnotic essays, crafted with her usual atypical sentences which are like soft waves of power crashing upon the barriers of imbecility. In No Straight Road Takes You There, Solnit looks at the long view of humanity's faltering lurch towards some sense of responsibility in who we are and of our responsibilities to the world surrounding us (and what we should be doing to be around a little longer than currently predicted in order to further refine that concept). Change for the better might come slowly, such as in areas Solnit has dedicated her life to as a writer and activist – the environment, feminism, democracy and human rights etc – but come it will, as history has shown us; what begins on the periphery eventually moves into the centre. Solnit considers the circuitous routes some of these important changes have travelled: be it the Biden administration taking credit for student loan relief as though it were an imperious gift to impart, rather than a long campaign of struggle that was an offshoot of the Occupy Wall Street movement, or the International Energy Agency finally accepting an end to new fossil fuel exploration and extraction, something climate activists have long been arguing for. READ MORE The pieces dander with a desire for knowledge under Solnit's unhurried pen (one essay's title, In Praise of the Meander, could be shorthand for her style) and are rich with all kinds of references, from Toni Morrison, Hokusai, George Orwell and Li Po to Ted Lasso. There are changes in gear, too, with honourable takedowns of Harvey Weinstein , and how Silicon Valley has hollowed out her home city San Francisco. One particular essay has the most merciless tone I think I have ever read in Solnit's voice: the appropriately titled On Not Meeting Nazis Halfway. It sparkles as an empowered ethical stand in a volume full of enriching trails of thoughts and deliberations. If you have followed the path Solnit has made by walking with her books thus far, then you'll want to take that journey onwards with this latest volume. A writer who gives us hope for today, and tomorrow.
